Steering arrangement for inboardoutboard drive



June 9, 1964 C. F. ALEXANDER, JR

STEERING ARRANGEMENT FOR INBOARD-OUTBOARD DRIVE Filed March 25, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 i?, u 0o INVENToR.

CHARLES E ALEXANDER mlrus f' Starke A'orneys June 9, 1964 c. F. ALEXANDER,` JR 3,136,282

STEERING ARRANGEMENT FOR INBoARn-OUTBOARD DRIVE Filed March 23, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 e: INVEN R.

` CHARLES E ALExAN a BY ndrus s* SMI-Irc Attorneys June 9, 1964 c. F. ALEXANDER, JR 3,136,282

STEERNG ARRANGEMENT FOR INBOARD-OUTBOARD DRVE Filed March 23, 1962- I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 INVENTOR. CHARLES E ALEXANDER A'rrorneys ndrus Starke` United States Patent O 3,136,282 STEERING ARRANGEMENT FOR INBOARD- OUTBOARD DRIVE Charles F. Alexander, Jr., Oshkosh, Wis., assignor to Kiekhaefer Corporation, Cedarburg, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 180,280 10 Claims. (Cl. 11S-35) This invention relates to an improved steering arrangement for an inboard-outboard drive.

Steering of inboard-outboard drives is commonly effected by pivoting the outboard propulsion unit on a generally vertical steering axis. The steering is generally controlled from a remote location in the boat or other watercraft by means of a flexible push-pull cable which commonly actuates a rigid telescoping extension member or a ball mounted bar secured externally to the propulsion unit housing. In these installations additional holes through the transom are generally required, and if the propulsion unit is of the type which may be rotated in a generally transverse vertical plane for repair or beaching, the steering system must first be disconnected. It is generally an object of this invention to eliminate the need for such additional transom openings by providing a steering mechanism which extends interiorly through the support mounting for the propulsion unit and which requires no disconnection when the propulsion unit is rotated in a generally transverse vertical plane.

According to this invention, the outboard propulsion unit of an inboard-outboard drive is mounted on the transom of a boat or other watercraft and is driven by a power source mounted inboard of the watercraft. A support housing member is adapted to be rigidly secured to the transom and pivotally supports an intermediate member on a generally vertical axis for steering.V The propulsion unit in turn is carried by the intermediate member on a generally transverse horizontal axis to accommodate tilt movements of the unit relative to the transom. The mechanism for steering the propulsion unit extends from a location inboard ofthe Watercraft through the support structure and is connected to the intermediate member and is adapted to pivot 'the latter to provide for steering control of the propulsion unit. The inboard end of the steering mechanism is adapted for connection to actuating means which may be actuated from a remote location in the watercraft to pivot the propulsion unit on its vertical axis for steering.

The drawings furnished herewith illustrate the best mode for carrying out the invention as presently contemplated and set forth hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of the outboard propulsion unit of an inboard-outboard drive shown mounted on thetransom of a boat or other watercraft;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial side elevation of an inboard-outboard drive with parts broken away and sectioned to show the steering arrangement of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged view taken generally on line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken generally on line 4 4 of FIG. 2; and Y FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view generally showing the steering arrangement of this invention and in phantom shows a position of the steering arrangement for pivoting the propulsion unit; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional View taken generally on line 6 6 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the inboard-outboard drive includes a propulsion unit 1 suspended from the transom 2 of a partially shown boat or other watercraft 3. The propulsion unit includes a propeller 4 which is carried "ice by the propeller shaft 5 and is driven by the vertical drive shat 6 through bevel gears 7 and 8 to propel the watercra t.

The vertical -drive shaft 6 is enclosed within the propulsion unit housing 9 and is in turn driven by the engine 10 mounted inboard of the watercraft through the horizontal drive shaft 11 which extends rearwardly from the engine through the transom opening 12 and into the forwardly extending bell opening 13 of housing 9. Intermediate its length the horizontal drive shaft 11 is provided with a double universal joint 14 having its center substantially at 'the intersection of the vertical steering axis and horizontal tilt axis of the propulsion unit 1 as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The drive connection between the horizontal drive shaft 11 and vertical drive shaft 6 includes a pair of vertically spaced beveled gears 15 and 16, one of which is a forward gear and the other a reverse gear, which are supported for free rotation within suitable bearings on the upper end of shaft 6. The drive gear 17 carried on the horizontal shaft 11 drivingly engages gears 15 and 16 and causes the latter to rotate in opposed directions. A clutch element 18 disposed between beveled gears 15 and 16 is carried by shaft 6 and is slidable axially thereon to selectively engage gears 15 and 16 'to complete the drive connection between shafts 6 and 11 and drive the propeller in the desired direction. As shown in FIG. 2, clutch element 18 also has an intermediate neutra position between gears 15 and 16 in which case the propeller 4 is inoperative. Axial movement of the clutch element 18 relative to shaft 6 is effected by the projecting member 19 which is vertically interlocked with the clutch element and is actuated by means not shown through the Push-pull cable 20 controlled from within the watercraft and extending through the transom opening 12 into the propulsion unit housing 9.

The suspension means for the propulsion unit 1 includes an inner transom plate 21 and an outer transom plate 22. The inner plate 21 is provided with an opening 23 of substantially the same size as transom opening 12 and is secured in position with the openings in generally aligned relation. The outer-plate 22 is provided with an inwardly or forwardly extending annular flange 24 the outer diameter of which corresponds substantially in size with openings 12 and 23 of the transom and inner plate respectively. Flange 24 extends through the transom opening and is telescoped into the inner transom plate opening to properly seat the outer plate 23 against the transom. A plurality of circumferentially spaced throughbolts 25 extend through the transom 2 to secure the opposed plates relative thereto. The annular flange 24 of outer'transom plate 22 defines the effective cylindrical opening 26 extending through the transom.

The suspension means further includes a housing member 27 comprising a forwardly extending cylindrical steering lever housing 28 and a rearwardly extending bellshaped housing 29 which are separated by a partition wall 30 having an opening 31 centrally thereof through which they horizontal drive shaft 11 extends. The cylindrical steering lever housing 28 is slidably and rotatably received within transom opening 26 and extends forwardly beyond the forward end of outer transom plate ange 24 into the watercraft. Rearwardly the opening 26 is stepped to provide an annular shoulder 32 on transom plate 22 which is engageable by a corresponding shoulder 33 on housing member 27 in its forwardmost position which is the normal operating position for the unit. Cylindrical housing 28 is threaded forwardly beyond the end of flange 24 and a nut member 34 is threaded thereon to draw the shoulders 32 and 33 together to thereby rigidly secure or clamp the housing member 27 with respect to the transom. An annular stepped cover plate 35 aiaeaea is secured to the inner transom plate 21 and extends over the peripheral portion of nut member 34 to confine the latter between the respective plates 21 and 35.

The housing member 27 pivotally supports an intermediate gimbal ring member 36 on a generally vertical axis to provide for steering movement of the propulsion unit in a generally horizontal plane. The ring portion of member 36 is generally disposed rearwardly and within the bell-shaped portion 29 of housing 27 and extends around jointed shaft lll. The gimbal ring member 36 is adapted to receive the forward portion of the bell-shaped housing portion i3 of propulsion unit 1 therewitlu'n for support of the unit on the generally transverse horizontal tilt axis. At the tilt axis and on opposite sides of shaft 1l, housing portion 13 and gimbal ring member 36 are provided with aligned bore openings 37 and 38 respectively. The bore openings 37 in housing portion 13 are threaded to receive the threaded portions of pins 39 which are journaled within the corresponding bore openings 3S. Pins 39 thus provide for pivotal support of the propulsion unit within gimbal ring member 36 on the tilt axis.

The gimbal ring member 36 is pivotally supported within housing member 27 by means of vertically spaced and aligned swivel shaft segments 4t) and 41 the common axis of which extends generally through the center of the double universal joint 14 at the axis of shaft 11. For steeringT movements of member36, the shaft 11 in effect bends correspondingly at the universal joint 14 and maintains the drive connection to propulsion unit l.

At the upper extremity of the swivel axis the swivel shaft segment 40 extends through the aligned bores 42 and 43 provided respectively in the housing member 27 and gimbal ring member 36. Shaft segment 40 is secured against rotation within gimbal ring member 36 and is disposed for rotation Within bore 42 or housing member 27 as provided for by needle bearings 44. Shaft segment 46 is vertically retained between a head 45 provided at the upper end thereof which is recessed within the stepped bore portion 46 of housing member 27 and the nut 47 which is threaded onto the lower end of the shaft segment and recessed within stepped bore portion 48 of ring member 36.

Support housing member 27 includes a downwardly extending and rearwardly openingyoke portion 49 having vertically spaced, generally horizontal arms 50 and 51 with the upper arm t) being spaced substantially beneath the shaft 11. Arms 50 and 51 are provided with bore openings 52 and 53 respectively which are aligned onV the swivel axis and adapted to receive the swivel shaft segment 41. The downwardly disposed part of the bellshaped housing 29 of member 27 is provided with a forwmdly extending recess 54 through which the gimbal ring member 36 extends. The ring member 36 includes a lower portion 55 which is adapted to be received between arms Stl and 51 of the yoke portion 49 and is provided with a bore opening 56 aligned with bore openings 42 and 43 on the swivel axis when in assembled relation. The swivel shaft segment 41 extends through aligned openings 52, 56 and 53 and is vertically secured therein by the arcuate key member 57 between the shaft segment and the lower yoke arm 51. Because of the substantial vertical extent of shaft segment 41, a pair of vertically spaced needle bearings 58 in bore opening 56 rotatably support the lower portion 5S of ring member 36 on the shaft segment.

According to the invention pivotal movement of the gimbal ring member 36 on the generally vertical swivel axis to provide for steering control of the propulsion unit is effected by steering control actuating means which extends through transom opening 26.

The actuating means for effecting steering control of gimbal ring member 36 together with propulsion unit l includes the linkage member 59 which is pivotably connected to a forwardly extending bifurcated projection 60 position.

which is shown to be on the right side of the gimbal ring member as Viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the ring member and its support housing in the normal operating Linkage member 59 is connected to projection 60 by means of pin means 61 and extends through an openin y 52 inV the partition wall 30 of housing member 27 and into chamber 63 formed by the barrier wall 64 extending between partition Wall 3@ and the outer cylindrical wall of the steering lever housing 23. Within chamber 63 linkage member 59 is pivotally connected to the end of a crank arm 65 by pin means 66 for actuation by the arm to pivot girnbal ring member 36.

lnteriorly of the forwardly opening recess 67 in the steering lever housing 23 a boss 63 is provided above chamber 63 and on the opposite side of the horizontal drive shaft il from the pivot connection between linkage member 59 and gimbal ring member 36. Boss 68 is formed integrally with partition wall 30 of housing member 27 and the wall 64 of chamber 63 and is provided with a bore opening 69 which parallels the generally vertical swivel axis. The shaft member 76 is disposed in the bore opening 69 and is rotatable within the vertically spaced needle bearings 71 and extends downwardly into chamber 63 where the crank arm 65 is xedly secured to the lower end thereof for actuation by the shaft member within the chamber. Since the shaft member 76 parallels the swivel axis, crank arm 65 and linkage member 59 are operable in a given plane to pivot the'gimbal ring member 36. Shaft member 76 includes an upper portion which projects upwardly from boss 68 and a steering arm 72 is xedly secured thereto to provide means for actuating the shaft member to pivot the gimbal ring member 36 and thereby provide for steering control of the propulsion unit. Steering arm 72 includes coupling means '73 at the end oppositely from shaft member 70 to receive push-pull means, not shown, whereby steering control of ythe propulsion unit may be exercised from a remote location in the watercraft.

Since chamber 63 opens rearwardly, it is exposed t0 water. Thus, the barrier wall 64 serves to keep water out of the watercraft. To prevent leakage of water into the watercraft through the bore opening 69 in boss 68 a rotary seal 74 is providedrin the boss around shaft member 70.

Steering lever housing 28 of housing member 27 is rotatable within transom opening 26 to rotate the propulsion unit l in a generally transverse vertical plane as described in the copending joint application of Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer, Charles F. Alexander and Robert Boda, Serial No. 180,282, filed on even date herewith and assigned to a common assignee with this invention. The through transom steering mechanism of the instant invention offers the advantage of being rotatable with housing member 27 so that a disconnection of all or a portion of the mechanism is unnecessary when it is desired to rotate the propulsion unit in the generally transverse vertical plane. The steering mechanism of this invention offers the further advantage of not requiring a transom opening in addition to the opening from which ,the propulsion unit is suspended.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention. Y

I claim: i

1. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit having a generally vertical drive shaft and disposed outboard of the watercraft, a support member adapted to be rigidly secured to the transom of the watercraft, an intermediate member pivotally supported by the support member on a generally vertical axis forwardly of said drive shaft and pivotally supporting the propulsion unit on a generally transverse horizontal axis, and means extending through an opening in the support member from the interior of the watercraft and connected to said intermediate member to pivot the latter on said generally vertical axis to provide for steering control of the propulsion unit.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the intermediate member is a gimbal member which is pivotally supported from the support member on a generally vertical axis by a pair of spaced and aligned shaft members.

3. The invention of claim l'wherein the means for portion separated from the forward portion by a partition wall, a gimbal member pivotally supported by the support member rearwardly of said partition wall and on a generally vertical axis and pivotally supporting the propulsion unit on a generally transverse horizontal axis, a shaft member rotatably supported within the forward portion of said support member, linkage means extending through an opening in said partition wall and connecting the shaft member and gimbal member, and means to rotate the shaft member to thereby pivot the gimbal member to provide for steering control of the propulsion unit.

5 The invention of claim 4 wherein the shaft member parallels the generally vertical support axis for the gimbal member and the linkage means comprises a crank arm ixedly secured on the shaft member, and a link pivotally connected to the crank arm and gimbal member respectively and being movable in a given plane.

6. In an inboard-outboard drive for Watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit disposed outboardof the watercraft, a support member adapted to be rigidly secured to the transom and having a forward portion disposed in an opening through the transom and a rearward portion separated from the forward portion by a partition wall, said forward portion including a chamber with an opening from said chamber being provided in said partition wall, a gimbal ring member pivotally supported by the support member on a generally vertical axis and pivotally supporting the propulsion unit on a generally transverse horizontal axis, a shaft member rotatably supported within the forward portion of said support member and extending downwardly through an opening in the upper wall of said chamber, a crank arm carried on the end of the shaft member within said chamber and being pivotable within the chamber, a link member extending through said partition wall opening and pivotally connected to the crank arm and gimbal ring member respectively, and means to rotate the shaft member to thereby pivot the gimbal ring member to provide for steering control of the propulsion unit.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said rearwardly open chamber is exposed to water and sealing means are provided around the shaft member within the opening in the chamber wall to prevent leakage into the watercraft through said opening.

. 8. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit disposed outboard of the watercraft, an engine for driving said propulsion unit and mounted inboard of the watercraft, a support member' adapted to be rigidly secured to the transom and having a cylindrical forward portion disposed in an opening through the transom and a rearward portion separated from the forward portion by a partition wall, horizontal shaft means drivingly connecting the engine and propulsion unit and extending through a central opening in the support member partition wall, said support member forward portion including a chamber disposed beneath said horizontal shaft means and a boss projecting upwardly from said chamber to one side of said shaft means, said boss having a generally vertical bore opening into said chamber and said chamber having an opening rearwardly through said partition, a gimbal ring member pivotally supported by the support member on a generally vertical axis paralleling the bore opening in said boss and pivotally supporting the propulsion unit on a generally transverse horizontal axis and said horizontal shaft means extending through said ring member, a shaft member rotatably supported within the bore opening in said boss and extending downwardly into said chamber, a crank arm carried on the end of the shaft member within said chamber and being pivotable within the chamber, a link member pivotally connected at one end to the crank arm, said link member extending through said partition wall opening from said chamber and having the other end thereof pivotally connected to the gimbal ring member on the side of the horizontal shaft means oppositely from said boss, and means to rotate the shaft member to thereby pivot the crank arm within said chamber and actuate the link member in a given plane to pivot the gimbal ring member on said generally vertical axis to provide for steering control of the propulsion unit.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said support member is rotatable within thetransom opening to move the propulsion unit together with the gimbal ring member in a generally transverse vertical plane, said link member, crank arm, shaft member and means for rotating the shaft member being rotatable with said support member relative to the horizontal shaft means without disconnection from the gimbal ring member or from each other.

10. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having ay transom, a power unit disposed inboard of the watercraft; a propulsion unit disposed outboard of the watercraft; means fixed to the transom for supporting said outboard propulsion unit and comprising a fixed support member secured to the transom, an intermediate support member pivotally carried by said iixed support member on a substantially vertical steering `axis, andv means carrying the propulsion unit upon said intermediate support member and providing a horizontal tilt axis therebetween; power transmitting means connecting said inboard power unit to said outboard propulsion unit through an opening in the transom; remote steering control means in said watercraft; and means connecting said remote steering control means to said intermediate support means through the same transom opening to effect steeringv actuation of the boat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,028,333 Desenberg et al. June 4, 1912 1,980,685 Johnson Nov. 13, 1934 2,681,029 Canazzi June 15, 1954 3,006,311 Hansson Oct. 31, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 738,067 France Oct. 11, 1932 340,367 Great Britain Jan. 1, 1931 

1. IN AN INBOARD-OUTBOARD DRIVE FOR WATERCRAFT HAVING A TRANSOM, A PROPULSION UNIT HAVING A GENERALLY VERTICAL DRIVE SHAFT AND DISPOSED OUTBOARD OF THE WATERCRAFT, A SUPPORT MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE RIGIDLY SECURED TO THE TRANSOM OF THE WATERCRAFT, AN INTERMEDIATE MEMBER PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPORT MEMBER ON A GENERALLY VERTICAL AXIS FORWARDLY OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT AND PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING THE PROPULSION UNIT ON A GENERALLY TRANSVERSE HORIZONTAL AXIS, AND MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH AN OPENING IN THE SUPPORT MEMBER FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE WATERCRAFT AND CONNECTED TO SAID INTERMEDIATE MEMBER TO PIVOT THE 